U.S. patent number 10,276,923 [Application Number 16/104,383] was granted by the patent office on 2019-04-30 for wireless communications device with antenna element id and related devices and methods.
This patent grant is currently assigned to HARRIS GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is Harris Global Communications, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth P. Beghini, Andrew J. Eller.
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United States Patent |
10,276,923 |
Eller , et al. |
April 30, 2019 |
Wireless communications device with antenna element ID and related
devices and methods
Abstract
A wireless communications device may include an RF transceiver.
The RF transceiver may have a first connector, an RF transceiver
circuit coupled to the first connector, and a probe circuit coupled
to the first connector and configured to place a DC supply voltage
on the first connector. The wireless communications device may
include an RF antenna assembly to be coupled with the RF
transceiver. The RF antenna assembly may have a second connector
configured to be mated with the first connector, an RF antenna
element coupled to the second connector, and an antenna ID circuit
coupled to the second connector and configured to be powered from
the DC supply voltage and modulate the DC supply current indicative
of an ID of the RF antenna element. The probe circuit may be
configured to determine the ID of the RF antenna element based upon
the modulated DC supply current.
Inventors: |
Eller; Andrew J. (Naples,
NY), Beghini; Kenneth P. (Hilton, NY) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harris Global Communications, Inc. |
Rochester |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HARRIS GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS,
INC. (Albany, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
66248290 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/104,383 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q
1/088 (20130101); H01Q 1/48 (20130101); H04B
1/0458 (20130101); H04B 1/38 (20130101); H01Q
1/24 (20130101); H04B 1/18 (20130101); H01Q
1/273 (20130101); H05F 3/02 (20130101); H01Q
1/241 (20130101); H01Q 1/50 (20130101); H01Q
1/242 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01Q
1/24 (20060101); H01Q 1/48 (20060101); H04B
1/38 (20150101); H01Q 1/27 (20060101); H05F
3/02 (20060101); H01Q 1/50 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sandiford; Devan A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Allen, Dyer, Doppelt + Gilchrist,
P.A.
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A wireless communications device comprising: a radio frequency
(RF) transceiver comprising at least one first connector, an RF
transceiver circuit coupled to said at least one first connector,
and a probe circuit coupled to said at least one first connector
and configured to place a direct current (DC) supply voltage on
said at least one first connector; and an RF antenna assembly to be
coupled with said RF transceiver comprising a second connector
configured to be mated with said at least one first connector, an
RF antenna element coupled to said second connector, and an antenna
identification (ID) circuit coupled to said second connector and
configured to be powered from the DC supply voltage and modulate a
DC supply current indicative of an ID of said RF antenna element,
said probe circuit configured to determine the ID of said RF
antenna element based upon the modulated DC supply current.
2. The wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said
antenna ID circuit comprises: a voltage-controlled current source
coupled to said second connector; and a controller configured to
control said voltage-controlled current source based upon the ID of
said RF antenna element.
3. The wireless communications device of claim 2 wherein said
antenna ID circuit comprises: a first inductor coupled between said
second connector and said controller; and a first electrostatic
discharge (ESD) device coupled between said first inductor and a
reference voltage.
4. The wireless communications device of claim 2 wherein said
antenna ID circuit comprises: a first inductor coupled between said
second connector and said controller; and a DC level translator
coupled between said first inductor and said controller.
5. The wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said at
least one first connector comprises a plurality of first
connectors.
6. The wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said probe
circuit comprises: a second inductor coupled to said at least one
first connector; a sense resistor coupled to said second inductor;
and a current sensor coupled to said sense resistor.
7. The wireless communications device of claim 6 wherein said probe
circuit comprises a controller coupled to said current sensor and
configured to determine the ID of said RF antenna element based
upon the modulated DC supply current.
8. The wireless communications device of claim 6 wherein said probe
circuit comprises a switch coupled to said second inductor and
configured to selectively apply the DC supply voltage to said at
least one first connector.
9. The wireless communications device of claim 6 wherein said probe
circuit comprises a second ESD device coupled between said second
inductor and a reference voltage.
10. A radio frequency (RF) transceiver device comprising: at least
one first connector; an RF transceiver circuit coupled to said at
least one first connector; and a probe circuit coupled to said at
least one first connector and configured to place a direct current
(DC) supply voltage on said at least one first connector, the RF
transceiver device to be coupled to an RF antenna assembly
comprising a second connector configured to be mated with said at
least one first connector, an RF antenna element coupled to the
second connector, and an antenna identification (ID) circuit
coupled to the second connector and configured to be powered from
the DC supply voltage and modulate a DC supply current indicative
of an ID of the RF antenna element; said probe circuit configured
to determine the ID of the RF antenna element based upon the
modulated DC supply current.
11. The RF transceiver device of claim 10 wherein said at least one
first connector comprises a plurality of first connectors.
12. The RF transceiver device of claim 10 wherein said probe
circuit comprises: a second inductor coupled to said at least one
first connector; a sense resistor coupled to said second inductor;
and a current sensor coupled to said sense resistor.
13. The RF transceiver device of claim 12 wherein said probe
circuit comprises a controller coupled to said current sensor and
configured to determine the ID of the RF antenna element based upon
the modulated DC supply current.
14. The RF transceiver device of claim 12 wherein said probe
circuit comprises a switch coupled to said second inductor and
configured to selectively apply the DC supply voltage to said at
least one first connector.
15. A radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly to be coupled with an
RF transceiver comprising at least one first connector, an RF
transceiver circuit coupled to the at least one first connector,
and a probe circuit coupled to the at least one first connector and
configured to place a direct current (DC) supply voltage on the at
least one first connector, the RF antenna assembly comprising: a
second connector configured to be mated with the at least one first
connector; an RF antenna element coupled to said second connector;
and an antenna identification (ID) circuit coupled to said second
connector and configured to be powered from the DC supply voltage
and modulate a DC supply current indicative of an ID of said RF
antenna element, the probe circuit configured to determine the ID
of said RF antenna element based upon the modulated DC supply
current.
16. The RF antenna assembly of claim 15 wherein said antenna ID
circuit comprises: a voltage-controlled current source coupled to
said second connector; and a controller configured to control said
voltage-controlled current source based upon the ID of the RF
antenna element.
17. The RF antenna assembly of claim 16 wherein said antenna ID
circuit comprises: a first inductor coupled between said second
connector and said controller; and a first electrostatic discharge
(ESD) device coupled between said first inductor and a reference
voltage.
18. The RF antenna assembly of claim 16 wherein said antenna ID
circuit comprises: a first inductor coupled between said second
connector and said controller; and a DC level translator coupled
between said first inductor and said controller.
19. A method of operating a wireless communications device
comprising a radio frequency (RF) transceiver comprising at least
one first connector, an RF transceiver circuit coupled to the at
least one first connector, and a probe circuit coupled to the at
least one first connector, and an RF antenna assembly comprising a
second connector, an RF antenna element coupled to the second
connector, and an antenna identification (ID) circuit coupled to
the second connector, the method comprising: coupling the RF
antenna assembly with the RF transceiver by mating the second
connector with the at least one first connector; operating the
probe circuit to place a direct current (DC) supply voltage on the
at least one first connector; operating the antenna ID circuit to
be powered from a DC supply voltage and modulate a DC supply
current indicative of an ID of the RF antenna element; and
determining the ID of the RF antenna element based upon the
modulated DC supply current.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the antenna ID circuit
comprises: a voltage-controlled current source coupled to the
second connector; and a controller configured to control the
voltage-controlled current source based upon the ID of the RF
antenna element.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the antenna ID circuit
comprises: a first inductor coupled between the second connector
and the controller; and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD)
device coupled between the first inductor and a reference
voltage.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the antenna ID circuit
comprises: a first inductor coupled between the second connector
and the controller; and a DC level translator coupled between the
first inductor and the controller.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and,
more particularly, to wireless communications devices and related
methods.
BACKGROUND
Mobile communications devices have become an integral part of
society over the last two decades. Mobile communications devices
are deployed to government personnel, and emergency service
providers. In some applications, the mobile communications device
is handheld, but in other applications, the mobile communications
device may be more bulky, yet still portable, such as a manpack
radio, as available from the Harris Corporation of Melbourne, Fla.
The typical mobile communications device includes an antenna, and a
transceiver coupled to the antenna. The transceiver and the antenna
cooperate to transmit and receive communications signals.
Before transmission, the typical mobile communications device
modulates digital data onto an analog signal. As will be readily
appreciated by the skilled person, there is a plurality of
modulations available for most applications.
For most communications devices, the transmitted and received
signals are spectrally limited. In other words, the communications
device operates within an expected frequency range, such as the
ultra high frequency (UHF) range or the very high frequency (VHF)
range. Because of the known operational characteristic, the
communications device is usually designed to operate within the
expected frequency range. Nevertheless, as communications devices
have become more robust in the included feature set, some
applications demand operating within multiple frequency bands, i.e.
a multi-band device.
In some multi-band devices, such as the aforementioned manpack
radio, the transmit/receive architecture may comprise a plurality
of paths with respective amplifiers/receivers and antennas. To
accommodate the multiple antennas, the radio device includes a
plurality of antenna connection ports. Because of this, when the
user assembles the radio device, the wrong antenna may be
inadvertently inserted into a particular port. Indeed, this issue
can be aggravated in devices with configurable or assignable ports
(i.e. hot swappable antenna ports).
SUMMARY
Generally, a wireless communications device may include a radio
frequency (RF) transceiver. The RF transceiver may include at least
one first connector, an RF transceiver circuit coupled to the at
least one first connector, and a probe circuit coupled to the at
least one first connector and configured to place a direct current
(DC) supply voltage on the at least one first connector. The
wireless communications device may comprise an RF antenna assembly
to be coupled with the RF transceiver. The RF antenna assembly may
include a second connector configured to be mated with the at least
one first connector, an RF antenna element coupled to the second
connector, and an antenna identification (ID) circuit coupled to
the second connector and configured to be powered from the DC
supply voltage and modulate a DC supply current indicative of an ID
of the RF antenna element. The probe circuit may be configured to
determine the ID of the RF antenna element based upon the modulated
DC supply current.
In some embodiments, the antenna ID circuit may include a
voltage-controlled current source coupled to the second connector,
and a controller configured to control the voltage-controlled
current source based upon the ID of the RF antenna element. The
antenna ID circuit may comprise a first inductor coupled between
the second connector and the controller, and a first electrostatic
discharge (ESD) device coupled between the first inductor and a
reference voltage. The antenna ID circuit may comprise a DC level
translator coupled between the first inductor and the controller.
The at least one first connector may comprise a plurality of first
connectors.
The probe circuit may comprise a second inductor coupled to the at
least one first connector, a sense resistor coupled to the second
inductor, and a current sensor coupled to the sense resistor. The
probe circuit may comprise a controller coupled to the current
sensor and configured to determine the ID of the RF antenna element
based upon the modulated DC supply current. The probe circuit may
comprise a switch coupled to the second inductor and configured to
selectively apply the DC supply voltage to the at least one first
connector. The probe circuit may comprise a second ESD device
coupled between the second inductor and a reference voltage.
Another aspect is directed to an RF transceiver device comprising
at least one first connector, an RF transceiver circuit coupled to
the at least one first connector, and a probe circuit coupled to
the at least one first connector and configured to place a DC
supply voltage on the at least one first connector. The RF
transceiver device may be coupled to an RF antenna assembly
comprising a second connector configured to be mated with the at
least one first connector, an RF antenna element coupled to the
second connector, and an antenna ID circuit coupled to the second
connector and configured to be powered from the DC supply voltage
and modulate a DC supply current indicative of an ID of the RF
antenna element. The probe circuit may be configured to determine
the ID of the RF antenna element based upon the modulated DC supply
current.
Another aspect is directed to an RF antenna assembly to be coupled
with an RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may include at least one
first connector, an RF transceiver circuit coupled to the at least
one first connector, and a probe circuit coupled to the at least
one first connector and configured to place a DC supply voltage on
the at least one first connector. The RF antenna assembly may
comprise a second connector configured to be mated with the at
least one first connector, an RF antenna element coupled to the
second connector, and an antenna ID circuit coupled to the second
connector and configured to be powered from the DC supply voltage
and modulate a DC supply current indicative of an ID of the RF
antenna element. The probe circuit may be configured to determine
the ID of the RF antenna element based upon the modulated DC supply
current.
Yet another aspect is directed to a method of operating a wireless
communications device comprising an RF transceiver. The RF
transceiver may include at least one first connector, an RF
transceiver circuit coupled to the at least one first connector,
and a probe circuit coupled to the at least one first connector.
The wireless communications device may comprise an RF antenna
assembly comprising a second connector, an RF antenna element
coupled to the second connector, and an antenna ID circuit coupled
to the second connector. The method may include coupling the RF
antenna assembly with the RF transceiver by mating the second
connector with the at least one first connector, and operating the
probe circuit to place a DC supply voltage on the at least one
first connector. The method may comprise operating the antenna ID
circuit to be powered from the DC supply voltage and modulate a DC
supply current indicative of an ID of the RF antenna element, and
determining the ID of the RF antenna element based upon the
modulated DC supply current.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first example embodiment of a
wireless communications device, according to the present
disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of the first
example embodiment of the wireless communications device, according
to the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an RF
antenna assembly from the wireless communications device of FIG. 1
or 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of an RF
transceiver from the wireless communications device of FIG. 1 or
2.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the RF
antenna assembly from the wireless communications device of FIG. 1
or 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several
embodiments of the invention are shown. This present disclosure
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer
to like elements throughout, and base 100 reference numerals are
used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.
In some approaches, radio devices with multiple antenna ports were
able to detect whether an antenna was properly connected to a
respective port, i.e. a properly seated connection. Nevertheless,
these approaches did not provide feedback to the user on whether
the antenna was the proper antenna for the respective port. In some
approaches, the antennas and ports are colored coded to indicate
placement, but this approach is fixed and poorly suited for
configurable antenna port applications.
In some approaches, the user checks for proper antenna installation
by reviewing Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) readings for the
antenna. The problem with this approach is that it may provide
false bad placement indications for the connected antenna, since
this reading can be affected by conductive materials near the
antenna and physical damage to the antenna.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a wireless communications device 10
according to the present disclosure is now described. The wireless
communications device 10 illustratively includes an RF transceiver
11. The RF transceiver 11 includes a plurality of first connectors
12a-12c, and a plurality of RF antenna assemblies 15a-15c that can
be coupled to the plurality of first connectors. As will be
appreciated, the wireless communications device 10 is a multi-band
communications device, and each of the plurality of RF antenna
assemblies 15a-15c is resonant (i.e. an effective RF radiator) at a
respective operational frequency band.
Also, for drawing clarity, the plurality of first connectors
12a-12c is three in number in FIGS. 1-2, but of course, this is
merely exemplary. The number of first connectors 12a-12c may be any
number. Also, although FIG. 3 only shows a single RF antenna
assembly 15a in detail, it should be appreciated that all of the
plurality of RF antenna assemblies 15a-15c may be constituted
similarly, or may each comprise different embodiments of the
present disclosure.
For example, a plurality of operational frequency bands may
comprise the following frequency ranges: 30-520 MHz, 225-2600 MHz,
and 30-2600 MHz. In this exemplary listing, the plurality of
operational frequency bands extends within the very high frequency
(VHF), and ultra high frequency (UHF) bands, but of course, these
frequency ranges are merely exemplary in nature, and other
frequency bands can be used.
Also, each of the plurality of first connectors may comprise one or
more of a threaded Neill-Concelman (TNC) RF connector. Of course,
this connector type is exemplary, and other connector formats can
be used.
In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless communications device
10 includes a housing 33 carrying the RF transceiver 11, and a
handset 34 coupled to the housing of the RF transceiver. Here, the
housing 33 illustratively comprises a manpack radio form factor, as
available from the Harris Corporation of Melbourne, Fla. Of course,
this embodiment is merely exemplary, and other housing types can be
used, such as a handheld housing form factor. Furthermore, it
should be appreciated that the manpack radio form factor can be
used in many applications, such as installation in vehicles.
Indeed, any communications device with multiple antenna connections
can be modified with the features of the present disclosure.
Each of the plurality of RF antenna assemblies 15a-15c
illustratively includes a second connector 16a configured to be
mated with one of the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c. Each
second connector 16a illustratively comprises a TNC connector. Of
course, this connector type is exemplary, and other connector
formats can be used.
Each of the plurality of RF antenna assemblies 15a-15c
illustratively includes an RF antenna element 17a coupled to the
second connector 16a. As will be appreciated, the RF antenna
element 17a is configured to be an efficient radiator for the
respective operational frequency.
Each of the plurality of RF antenna assemblies 15a-15c
illustratively includes an antenna ID circuit 18a coupled to the
second connector 16a. The antenna ID circuit 18a is configured to
be powered from the DC supply voltage and modulate a DC supply
current indicative of an ID of the RF antenna element 17a.
Additionally, the antenna ID circuit 18a illustratively includes a
first inductor 22a coupled to the second connector 16a. As will be
appreciated, the first inductor 22a is configured to block RF
signals from passing into the antenna ID circuit 18a but pass DC
signals. The antenna ID circuit 18a illustratively includes a
voltage-controlled current source 20a coupled to the second
connector 16a, a PWR regulator 23a coupled to the first inductor,
and a controller 21a coupled to the voltage-controlled current
source and the PWR regulator.
As will be appreciated, the PWR regulator 23a comprises a power
regulator. The power regulator may comprise a low drop out (LDO)
regulator, a switch mode power supply (SMPS), or a shunt regulator.
Any of these would perform the function of lowering the input
voltage to a useable range by the controller 21a.
The controller 21a is configured to control the voltage-controlled
current source 20a based upon the ID of the RF antenna element 17a.
In some embodiments, the controller 21a includes a memory circuit
configured to store the ID of the RF antenna element. In
particular, the voltage-controlled current source 20a is configured
to pulse or modulate the DC supply current by selectively
controlling a current flow therethrough. In some embodiments, the
modulation comprises a high-low current bit pattern equating to the
binary string equating to the ID of the RF antenna element 17a
(i.e. high-low-low-low-low 10000 for 16).
The antenna ID circuit illustratively includes a first ESD device
24a coupled between the first inductor 22a and a reference voltage
(e.g. illustrated ground potential). In the illustrated embodiment,
the first ESD device 24a comprises a pair of Zener diodes having
respective cathodes coupled together.
As perhaps best seen in FIG. 4, the RF transceiver 11
illustratively includes an RF transceiver circuit 13 coupled to the
plurality of first connectors 12a-12c. The RF transceiver circuit
13 may comprise one or more baseband processors (generating a
baseband RF signal), one or more pre-amplifiers/amplifiers, one or
more filters, one or more mixers, and one or module modulators.
The RF transceiver 11 illustratively includes a probe circuit 14
coupled between the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c and the
RF transceiver circuit 13. The probe circuit 14 is configured to
place a DC supply voltage on the plurality of first connectors
12a-12c. As will be appreciated, in some embodiments, external RF
transmit/receive components (e.g. low noise amplifiers) may be
coupled to one or more of the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c
and be powered by the DC supply voltage.
The probe circuit 14 is configured to determine the ID of the RF
antenna element 17a based upon the modulated DC supply current. In
particular, the probe circuit 14 is configured to detect a current
of the DC supply signal.
Moreover, the probe circuit 14 illustratively includes a second
inductor 25 coupled to the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c,
and a switch 26 coupled to the second inductor and configured to
selectively apply the DC supply voltage to the plurality of first
connectors 12a-12c. As with the first inductor 22a, the second
inductor 25 is configured to block RF signals from passing in the
probe circuit 14 and permit DC signals to pass.
The probe circuit 14 illustratively includes a sense resistor 31
coupled to the second inductor 25, and a current sensor 32 coupled
across terminals of the sense resistor. The probe circuit 14
illustratively includes a controller 30 coupled to the current
sensor 32 and configured to determine the ID of the RF antenna
element 17 based upon the modulated DC supply current. The probe
circuit 14 illustratively includes a second ESD device 38 coupled
between the second inductor 25 and a reference voltage (e.g.
illustrated ground potential).
Here, the switch 26 illustratively includes a pair of field-effect
transistors (FETs) 27a-27b, each having conduction terminals
coupled between the second inductor 25 and the sense resistor 31.
The switch 26 illustratively includes a transistor controller
circuit 28 coupled to the controller 30 and the control terminals
of the FETs 27a-27b. The controller 30 is configured to open and
close the FETs 27a-27b to selectively apply the DC supply voltage
to the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c.
In some embodiments, the switch 26 can apply the DC supply voltage
on power-up of the RF transceiver 11. In some embodiments where the
RF transceiver 11 includes an accelerometer, the switch 26 can
apply the DC supply voltage when the accelerometer detects movement
exceeding a configurable threshold. Helpfully, the RF transceiver
11 can check for when one or more of the plurality of RF antenna
assemblies 15a-15c are dislodged or not seated properly.
Also, for drawing clarity purposes, only a single first connector
12a is depicted in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, a switching
mechanism (not shown) may be used to direct the DC supply voltage
to the desired one of the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c,
and to receive the modulated DC supply current. In other
embodiments, each of the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c may
have a respective probe circuit 14.
Advantageously, the RF transceiver 11 is configured to detect the
placement of the plurality of RF antenna assemblies 15a-15c on the
plurality of first connectors 12a-12c. The operating system (OS) or
main processor of the RF transceiver 11 is configured to access the
controller 30 for determining the correct IDs that need to be
connected to the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c.
Of course, in embodiments where the plurality of first connectors
12a-12c can be configured or assigned to different operational
frequency bands, the OS rearranges the needed placement of the
plurality of RF antenna assemblies 15a-15c on the plurality of
first connectors 12a-12c. Also, in these embodiments, the OS could
simply reassign the different operational frequency bands to the
proper first connectors 12a-12c. Helpfully, this can all be done
without intervention from the user, without RF antenna assembly
15a-15c swapping of onerous software interaction.
In some embodiments where the RF transceiver 11 includes a display,
the needed corrective repositioning of the plurality of RF antenna
assemblies 15a-15c is displayed. For example, the display may
prompt the user to swap the RF antenna assemblies 15a-15c on
specific first connectors 12a-12c.
Another aspect is directed to an RF transceiver device 11
comprising plurality of first connectors 12a-12c, an RF transceiver
circuit 13 coupled to the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c,
and a probe circuit 14 coupled to the plurality of first connectors
12a-12c and configured to place a DC supply voltage on the
plurality of first connectors 12a-12c. The RF transceiver device 11
is to be coupled to an RF antenna assembly 15a-15c comprising a
second connector 16a configured to be mated with the plurality of
first connectors 12a-12c, an RF antenna element 17a coupled to the
second connector, and an antenna ID circuit 18a coupled to the
second connector and configured to be powered from the DC supply
voltage and modulate the DC supply current indicative of an ID of
the RF antenna element. The probe circuit 14 is configured to
determine the ID of the RF antenna element 17a based upon the
modulated DC supply current.
Another aspect is directed to an RF antenna assembly 15a-15c to be
coupled with an RF transceiver 11. The RF transceiver 11
illustratively includes a plurality of first connectors 12a-12c, an
RF transceiver circuit 13 coupled to the plurality of first
connectors 12a-12c, and a probe circuit 14 coupled to the plurality
of first connectors 12a-12c and configured to place a DC supply
voltage on the plurality of first connectors. The RF antenna
assembly 15a-15c comprises a second connector 16a configured to be
mated with the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c, an RF antenna
element 17a coupled to the second connector, and an antenna ID
circuit 18a coupled to the second connector and configured to be
powered from the DC supply voltage and modulate a DC supply current
indicative of an ID of the RF antenna element. The probe circuit 14
is configured to determine the ID of the RF antenna element 17a
based upon the modulated DC supply current.
Yet another aspect is directed to a method of operating a wireless
communications device 10 comprising an RF transceiver 11. The RF
transceiver 11 illustratively includes plurality of first
connectors 12a-12c, an RF transceiver circuit 13 coupled to the
plurality of first connectors 12a-12c, and a probe circuit 14
coupled to the plurality of first connectors 12a-12c. The wireless
communications device 10 includes an RF antenna assembly 15a-15c
comprising a second connector 16a, an RF antenna element 17a
coupled to the second connector, and an antenna ID circuit 18a
coupled to the second connector. The method includes coupling the
RF antenna assembly 15a-15c with the RF transceiver 11 by mating
the second connector 16a with the plurality of first connectors
12a-12c, and operating the probe circuit 14 to place a DC supply
voltage on the plurality of first connectors. The method comprises
operating the antenna ID circuit 18a to be powered from the DC
supply voltage and modulate a DC supply current indicative of an ID
of the RF antenna element 17a, and determining the ID of the RF
antenna element based upon the modulated DC supply current.
Referring now additionally to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the RF
antenna assembly 115 is now described. In this embodiment of the RF
antenna assembly 115, those elements already discussed above with
respect to FIGS. 1-4 are incremented by 100 and most require no
further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the
previous embodiment in that this RF antenna assembly 115
illustratively includes level translator 135 coupled between the
controller 121 and the first inductor 122. The RF antenna assembly
115 illustratively includes a diode 136 coupled between the first
inductor 122 and the PWR regulator 123, and a capacitor 137 coupled
between a cathode of the diode and a reference voltage (e.g.
illustrated ground potential).
This embodiment of the RF antenna assembly 115 permits the
controller 130 of the RF transceiver 111 to send communications to
the controller 121 of the RF antenna assembly. This permits the
stored ID of the RF antenna element 117 to be programmed. Also,
this bi-directional communication can enable antenna element
tuning, antenna beam steering, and internal antenna co-site
mitigation.
This would be accomplished by the probe circuit 14 of the RF
transceiver device 11. The transistors 27a-27b could be controlled
to turn on/off modulating the DC supply voltage. The diode 136 and
capacitor 137 of the RF antenna assembly 115 provide a "hold up
circuit", which would allow the controller 121 to remain powered
(order of milliseconds) during the turn on/off sequencing. The
controller 121 would be able to detect the DC supply voltage
modulation by way of the level translator 135. In essence, a
message could be sent to the RF antenna assembly 115 by placing the
ID circuit in a "program ID mode", then the RF transceiver device
11 could program a specific ID into non-volatile memory, which then
could be read back by the RF transceiver 111 for verification
purposes.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure
will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit
of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the
associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the present
disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to
be included within the scope of the appended claims.
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